bayareanan

Now that I have started mentioning my work towards a band I have had a few ask questions that I really didnt have the answer for. One coworker is about 250, admits to drinking too much beer. When he has stopped drinking, along with watching his calories he only dropped about 40lb and nothing more. He slipped back into drinking and has maintained his weight. I can agree that alcohol is a wasted calorie, but what do I say to the fact he stopped drinking for 3 months, dieted and lost no weight? Just trying to find something constructive to tell him, besides just telling him to stop drinking totally.

The doc who does my medically supervised weight mgmt is part of the group that my surgeon is in. She says that I will get 1 week off. Naturally, I want to take as much time as I can get and would be much happier with 2 weeks off. Has anyone been able to talk their doc into a longer time that originally planned for? I do IT in a hospital, so I can always say that I lift computers and monitors alot!?

We support your decision, no matter which way you decide. Keeping on the diet plan is a step in the right direction. It is positive no matter how you view it. Getting banded will always be an option, not one you need to decide on now. Keep up the good work and let us know how it goes. We all are here to support you.

Tday issues.I know I should be happy they are coming but I am overwhelmed already. I have been divorced for 19yrs. My sons lived with their dad because I wasnt mentally stable. I was the every other weekend parent for good reason. I moved from CA, which was home, 7yrs ago to a burb of Dallas. Fast forward, the kids are grown. My son is in the Army and is recently stationed 2.5hrs away. I was overjoyed at this, but now I am overwhelmed. I am happy he comes to visit, but I need my alone time. He has been coming up every weekend. To make it worse, his girlfriend called me and told me she booked tickets to fly out here to Thanksgiving, because she knew he would be here (hmm, news to me). I am having lap band surgery about 2 weeks before turkey day, but figured they were young and in love and it would work its way out. Food isnt their top priority. THEN, I mention to my sister who lives in Reno that I am having company. She says then she & hubby will come out too! I explained I would be only on clear liquids and it wasnt a good time, and she said but as I already had company, what is a few more!!??!! Besides entertaining my son most weekends I will have a house full of people at the most vulnerable time of my recent life....It is too late to put my foot down, tickets are purchased. I am already popping Klonopin. He will be here this weekend, but Thanksgiving is still 2 months away. How can I cope?? I still havent unpacked my boxes from my move 7 yrs ago!!

Yes, the son lives in the barracks. Two years ago when he was in San Antonio I drove down and took a bunch of his buddies to Thanksgiving brunch at the Doubletree. To me, that sounds like a workable holiday. We still have the option of finding a hotel here to eat at. A waste to spend $50 to request pureed Soup, but workable. But that is only 1 meal of the long weekend. The girlsfriend offered to cook, although she has never cooked T day before. But, heh, what do I care, I cant eat it anyway. LOL My sister hasnt come to visit me in 20yrs, so I am overwhelmed by that by itself. I see my shrink next month and it will be a topic for sure. I am bipolar, and, although I was on social security disability for many years, I have been working for the last 12 and am thankfully stable with meds.Meds played a large roll in me gaining weight. I gained 100lb on Lithium in just one year. My shrink is the one who did my psych eval as he knows me better than any other shrink would.

I am hoping to have surgery in October, but you raised a good concern. I had planned on driving myself in the morning, and then taking a cab home. I only have someone available to pick me up on the weekends, so maybe I will have to make that plan. BUT, to have someone to be with me for the 1st 24hrs........it aint going to happen. I am divorced, was recently relocated from CA to Tx and my only son is in Iraq. I guess this is something I need to discuss with the doc before.

I am 51, 5ft 6 and weight 330. I am curious what a realistic weight loss goal would be in a year. I want to set my sights on something realistic

Hi! I have posted a few times but for the most part I have been lurking. I am 51yrs old and presently weigh 335. At one point I weighed 369. I joined a personal training gym which also daily monitored what you ate. I got down to 318 but stayed the same for 5 MONTHS. I was so depressed and finally gave up. I have just complted 5 months towards my 6 month preop diet which my insurance (Cigna) requireds. I am actuallly UP 10lbs since I started the diet, probably because I have been afraid Iwouldnt be able to eat the things I do now. Today I asked about my 2 week Preop diet and was told it would only be no carbs and no sugars. I was pleasantly surprised!!!! I wont believe if for sure until it actally starts. My problem right now is getting off work long enough for the surgery and recovery. I am an RN, but I manage the Hospital Information System at my hospital. There are always changes and updates. There is a major one that goes live on 11/4 and will require several weeks of testing before go live. Guess when that is!!?? Right when I should be scheduled for surger. I have warned my boss that I would likely be having surgery in mid Oct, but never came clean on why. She thinks I have gallstones. I dont want to wait until after the project is complete, but I may have to do that. I definately want 2 weeks off (just because) but I am told my doc only gives 1 week. I guess I will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Dont let the office staff's unresponsiveness get in the way of your success. They are only concerned with moving pile A to pile B They dont care whose file makes that move. Followup and keep ontop of them.

armywife, My son is stationed at Ft Hood also. He just got transfered there from Ft Polk and is recently back from Iraq. This is a perfect time, while your hubby is gone to make the change. He will be so surprised and you will be able to focus on your weight loss in his absence.

Fingers crossed! You will do fine. Let us know how it went when you feel up to it.

I have had monthly B12 injections and never felt any different. Not sure why. I keep waiting for that big difference, but it never happens. Hello to Southlake TX, from Frisco,TX

Linda, Check out www.lapbandforum.com It is apparentlly sponsored by a TJ surgeon. They have alot of info about having surgery in Mexico.

I am also using Dr Cribbens in Plano.

My doc emailed me to say that I was low in iron and everything else was pretty normal. The next visit we went over all the results and I got a copy to give to my primary doctor.

I am curious how much time your doc gave you off work, also, how much time you really think you needed before returning to work. I am having anxiety over having to return too soon.

I still have 2 months left of my 6 month preop diet (insurance company required). I have told my family and friends, but I really dont want to tell anyone at work. They will figure it out at some point, but I dont want to be watched when I eat. I work at a hospital, so everyone eats in the cafeteria. I am sure my lunch group will figure it out within a week or so, but maybe I will eat at my desk until I am on real food.

Juliansmom, Be thankful your insurance company only requires 3 months. Mine requires a SIX month medically supervised diet. I am 4 months into it now, which would give me a surgery date of about Oct 15th. Unfortunately I have a major project at work which goes live on 11/17 and may not be able to get off work until after then!

I currently weigh 330lbs and wear a size 10 EE. I can only fit into a few styles of shoes. Did anyone drop a shoe size or get to a normal shoe width after losing weightr?

I am curious how long you got off from work after the lap band? I have very good disability through work and want it to last as long as it can, but I am also curious how long it took to feel good enough to go back to work.